3.3 Chinese Beauty Ideals and Pop Culture

7 min read•january 3, 2023

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AP Chinese 🇨🇳

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Chinese Beauty Ideals

Chinese Beauty Standards and Fashion

When comparing beauty standards, China is very similar to other East Asian countries that differ greatly in comparison to Western beauty standards. Fashion has evolved from much more traditional clothing to more modern styles, most likely influenced by other regions.

When talking about beauty standards in China, skin tone has to be mentioned. In China, fair skin is preferred. It's based on the claim that you are more beautiful if you are more pale. This dates way back to the dynasties, where skin color displayed your social class. Since the lower classes worked outside in the sun, darker skin was attributed to them and physical labor. The wealthier you were, the less physical labor you had to do in the sun, supposedly making you more pale-skinned.

As a result, even in the modern world, many women go outside fully covered and with sun umbrellas. Face masks are also commonly worn to prevent UV rays from tanning their faces. There is even one for beach days, dubbed the "facekini". A common idiom in China states: "Fair skin conceals a thousand flaws." Others simply avoid going outside much at all. This is a stark difference from the Western preference for tanning.

On the topic of the preference for fairer skin, in many South Asian countries, including China, skin-whitening products have been widely used to achieve a lighter skin tone. These can be very dangerous because of the ingredients, such as mercury. Mercury can cause damage to kidneys, nerves, and other health problems!

These products tend to be smuggled into East Asian countries, as many are considered illegal. Many of the smuggling operations are aided with the help of customs agents. This is because many customs agents believe that they are helping the citizens by helping import skin-whitening products that are affordable.

This preference for a lighter skin tone is also reflective in the often limited foundation and face makeup shade ranges and well as the prevalence of brightening creams in cosmetic stores.

There are two quick 3 character summaries on the most ideal man and woman: 白富美（bái fùměi）, which quite literally means a white, rich, and beautiful (girl) and 高富帅（gāofù shuài), which also quite literally means tall ↕️, rich, and handsome (man)...

Double-eyelids are another preference in China. More than half of East Asians have monolids, leading to a common surgery called blepharoplasty that gives you double eyelids. With double eyelids, the eye appears larger, and therefore more "beautiful."

Many Chinese seek features such as larger eyes as mentioned above, a high nose bridge, and paler skin. Being extremely thin is also desired in China. Many clothing brands, especially small boutiques, carry a limited size range or even just one size. This can reinforce the idea that women need to be a certain size and negatively affect the health of many women in China.

Fashion trends for women in China tend to follow a more innocent and angelic look. There is also a darker side that seems more "gothy," but the naïve and young look tends to be preferred. Men tend to wear outfits that make them seem more sophisticated. Another popular option for men is "sporty" outfits.

Famous fashion brands are extremely popular in China, and there is a whole knockoff industry of these brands. In fact, if you visit a city, you are bound to encounter more than one street corner filled with vendors with fakes. They also tend to set up shop near the actual shop. China is infamous for having dupes of the more expensive products on the market 🛒. These products tend to have spelling errors, or other mistakes, that make them more obvious to the trained eye. Many people purchase these products because they cannot afford the real products, but wish to come off to others as "wealthy".

With all this information, we should remind ourselves and others not to modify ourselves or your body to fit into your society's standards. Understanding the reasons behind these cultural norms is okay, but don't do anything harmful to your body. You are beautiful and wonderful just the way you are!

Related Vocabulary

太阳伞（tàiyáng sǎn）- Sun Umbrella

皮肤美白产品（pífū měibái chǎnpǐn）- Skin Whitening Products

脸基尼（liǎn jīní）- Facekini

高鼻梁（gāo bíliáng）- High Nose Bridge

单眼皮（dānyǎnpí）- Monolids

双眼皮（shuāng yǎnpí）- Double-Eyelids

瘦（shòu）- Thin

天真（tiānzhēn）- Naive

衣服（yīfú）- Clothes

连衣裙（liányīqún）- Dress

裙子（qúnzi）- Skirt

衬衫（chènshān）- Blouse/Shirt

裤子（kùzi）- Pants

长裤（cháng kù）- Trousers

假冒产品（jiǎmào chǎnpǐn）- Counterfeit Products

Chinese Pop Culture

One of the most fun ways to experience Chinese culture is through its music and T.V. shows. Check out the sections below⬇️for some recommendations of popular Chinese songs and shows. Which variety show or song are you most interested in watching or listening to?

Popular Chinese Variety T.V. Shows

"Keep Running" (奔跑吧 bēn pǎo ba xiōng dì) - a reality competition show featuring celebrity contestants competing in various physical and mental challenges
"Happy Camp" (快乐大本营 kuài lè dà běn yíng) - a long-running variety show featuring celebrity guests and interactive segments
"The Rap of China" (中国有嘻哈 zhōng guó yǒu xī hā) - a rap competition show featuring both established and up-and-coming rappers
"Where Are We Going, Dad?" (爸爸去哪儿 bà ba qù nǎ er) - a reality show featuring celebrity fathers and their children on outdoor adventures
"The Voice of China" (中国好声音 zhōng guó hǎo shēng yīn) - a singing competition show featuring blind auditions, coaching by music industry professionals, and live performance rounds
"The Inn" (我家那闺女 wǒ jiā nà guī nǚ) - a reality show featuring celebrities living and competing together in a simulated inn
"Street Dance of China" (中国新舞蹈 zhōng guó xīn wǔ dǎo) - a dance competition show featuring solo dancers and groups competing in various styles
"Chinese Restaurant" (中餐厅 zhōng cān tīng) - a cooking competition show featuring professional chefs competing in various challenges and cooking for celebrity guests.

Famous Chinese Singers

Jay Chou (周杰伦 Zhōu Jié Lún) - Jay Chou is a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his fusion of R&B and Chinese elements in his music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "Qi Li Xiang" (七里香 qī lǐ xiāng) and "Guan Huai" (观众 guān zhòng).
Wang Leehom (王力宏 Wáng Lì Hóng) - Wang Leehom is a Taiwanese-American singer and actor. He is known for his pop, R&B, and hip hop influenced music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "Luo Ye Gui Gen" (落叶归根 luò yè guī gēn) and "Lang Ya Bang" (狼牙棒 láng yá bàng)
Eason Chan (陈奕迅) - Eason Chan is a Hong Kong singer and actor. He is known for his distinctive voice and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "Yi Lu Xiang Bei" (一路向北) and "Kang Ta" (康他).
Jaycee Chan (房祖名) - Jaycee Chan is a Chinese-American actor and singer. He is the son of actor Jackie Chan and has appeared in a number of films and television dramas. Some of his most popular songs include "Jie Tu" (截土) and "Xiao Hu Dui" (小虎队).
Han Hong (韩红 Hán Hóng) - Han Hong is a Chinese singer and songwriter. She is known for her folk-influenced music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of her most popular songs include "Xue Se Nian Hua" (雪色年华 xuě sè nián huá) and "Wu Wei" (无为 wú wéi).
Faye Wong (王菲 Wáng Fēi) - Faye Wong is a Chinese singer and actress. She is known for her ethereal, emotive vocal style and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of her most popular songs include "Ren Ai Shui" (人爱水 rén ài shuǐ) and "Yuan Lai Wo Men Zhi Dui" (原来我们只对 yuán lái wǒ men zhǐ duì).
Li Ronghao (李荣浩 Lǐ Róng Hào) - Li Ronghao is a Chinese singer and songwriter. He is known for his soulful, melodic music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "The One" (唯一 wéi yī) and "I Will Never Let You Go" (我不会放手 wǒ bù huì fàng shǒu).
G.E.M. (邓紫棋 Dèng Zǐ Qí) - G.E.M. is a Hong Kong singer and songwriter. She is known for her powerful vocals and catchy pop music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of her most popular songs include "Glorious Days" (光辉岁月 guāng huī suì yuè)
JJ Lin (林俊杰 Lín Jùn Jié) - JJ Lin is a Singaporean singer and songwriter. He is known for his soulful, emotional ballads and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "If Only" (如果你也听说 rú guǒ nǐ yě tīng shuō) and "Practice Love" (练习爱 liàn xí ài).
Yoga Lin (林宥嘉 Lín Yǒu Jiā) - Yoga Lin is a Taiwanese singer and songwriter. He is known for his emotive, introspective music and has released a number of successful albums and singles. Some of his most popular songs include "You Are My Everything" (你是我的一切 nǐ shì wǒ de yī qiè) and "Love Will Know" (爱会知道 ài huì zhī dao).